Deuteronomy 11: Lessons Regarding Obey God’s Law Out of Love

Introduction: Deuteronomy Chapter 11 marks the end of Moses’ general exhortations regarding God’s Law. The remainder of the book largely focuses on the specific statutes that helped to interpret the Ten Commandments. At this transition point, Moses begins his remarks by calling upon the Jews to obey both the Ten Commandments and the statutes and ordinances that interpret them:

You shall therefore love the Lord your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.” (Dt. 11:1).

Let obedience be the fruit of your faith1

Moses made similar calls to obedience in each of the preceding chapters. Some Jews might have tired of his message. They might have clapped for Moses while simultaneously tuning him out. The Jews later realized that Moses’ message in this chapter was so important that part of it became enshrined as the second of three parts in the holiest Jewish prayer, the Shema. Many believers today might also ask why they should pay attention. The Bible is also clear that we are saved by our faith alone and not by our works (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 3:28-30; 4:5; 10:4; Gal. 2:16; 3:24). Why then should a believer care about obeying the Law at all? Jesus is the “I AM” who gave the Ten Commandments (Jo. 8:58; Ex. 3:14). He says that, if you love Him, you will keep His commandments: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (Jo. 14:15, 21; 15:10; 1 Jo. 5:3; 2 Jo. 1:6). If that is not enough to motivate you, Moses offers seven other specific reasons. First, Moses reminded the Jews that God either blessed them or cursed them based upon their actions in the wilderness. The same is true for any believer. Disobedience will not cause a believer to lose his or her salvation. Yet, disobedience can cause pain and turmoil. By contrast, Spirit-led obedience allows God to grant other conditional blessings. If you examine your life in faith, you will see His hand guiding, correcting, and blessing you. Your remembrance of His prior blessings and disciplinary actions in your life will help to bring about a healthy fear of Him. Second, if you obey His Law out of love, He promises to give you the strength to deal with any challenge. Although Moses had stated this promise before, he knew that the Jews lacked the faith to believe it. Third, if you obey God’s Law, He also promises to prolong your life on earth. You may not live to be old. Yet, He will allow you to live longer than you would have lived without His blessing. Fourth, if a country as a whole follows His Law, He also promises to bless the economy of the nation as a whole. Even sinners will benefit if enough of the population is obedient to God’s Law. By contrast, even the righteous may experience economic drought if enough of the country is disobedient to His Law. Fifth, if you are obedient, He also promises to multiply you in your endeavors and possibly your offspring. Sixth, if you are obedient, He further promises to bring you victory over your enemies. Finally, if you are obedient, He also promises to bless you in ways that you cannot imagine. This includes enlarging the borders of your church, organization, family, business, or other endeavors.

1. God’s Prior Blessings and Curses are Usually Visible in Your Life. Dt. 11:2-7.

Jesus was obedient at the cross out of love for mankind2

2. Spirit-Led Obedience Brings God’s Strength. Dt. 11:8.

Let God give you the strength to serve Him (2 Timothy 1:7)3

3. Spirit-led Obedience Brings a Prolonged Life. Dt. 11:9.

4. Spirit-led Obedience by a Country Brings Economic Prosperity. Dt. 11:10-17.

5. Spirit-Led Obedience Will Allow God to “Multiply” Your Endeavors. Dt. 11:18-22.

Your obedience should extend to teaching God’s Word to your children4

6. Spirit-Led Obedience also Brings Victory Over Your Enemies. Dt. 11:22-23.

When you obey God, you never need to fear evil5

7. Spirit-Led Obedience also allows God to “Enlarge Your Borders. Dt. 11:24-32.

Trust God to enlarge your borders6